Sensor-Driven Resource Access Control for Changing Conditions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing access control mechanisms for computing devices fail to adapt to rapid changes in conditions and provide long-term resource access control, especially in mobile environments, leading to potential inappropriate resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using a secret sharing scheme tied to sensor outputs, where access to resources is controlled by monitoring environmental and user conditions, enabling access when conditions are met and preventing access when they are not, through an isolated process to generate and manage secret keys.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional access control mechanisms are used, then access decisions can be made based on static factors, but the system cannot adapt to rapid changes in device conditions and environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to changing conditionsVSAvoidaccess control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access control system transitions from static to dynamic evaluation by continuously monitoring sensor outputs and automatically re-evaluating access policies when environmental conditions change. The system dynamically adjusts access decisions based on real-time sensor data without requiring manual intervention or complex configuration changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment by automatically detecting changes in sensor outputs and triggering policy re-evaluations. The access control mechanism serves itself by autonomously responding to environmental changes without external control, reducing the need for complex external management systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If access control is continuously monitored, then security is improved, but energy consumption and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system employs periodic re-evaluation triggered by specific events - namely, when sensor outputs change. The access control policy is re-assessed only when necessary, based on discrete sensor state changes, rather than operating in a continuous loop, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining security reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensor outputs as feedback signals to trigger access control re-evaluations. When sensors detect a change in environmental conditions, this feedback initiates a policy re-assessment. This feedback-driven approach ensures reliable security monitoring only when conditions change, avoiding unnecessary continuous processing and energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If access control policies are frequently updated, then security responds to changing conditions, but system performance and user experience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolicy adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Policy re-evaluation occurs periodically based on sensor state changes rather than continuously. The system updates access policies only when sensor outputs indicate a change in conditions, providing adaptability while avoiding performance degradation from unnecessary frequent updates. This event-driven approach balances security responsiveness with system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4028924B1Resource access control
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 BRITISH TELECOM PLC
  • EP4028924B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4028924B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4028924B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a computer implemented method for accessing a resource at a computing device, as well as for controlling access to a resource by a computing device. The method for accessing the resource, receives a policy indicating a set of conditions under which access to the resource is permitted, determines whether each of the conditions are initially present based on an output of one or more sensors of the device, and monitors the one or more sensors to detect a change in the presence of one or more of the conditions. In response to detecting the change in the presence of one or more of the conditions, the method determines whether each of the conditions are present. In response to determining that each of the conditions is present, access to the resource is enabled. In response to determining that at least one of the conditions is not present, access to the resource is prevented.